Wouldn’t it be nice if you could turn back the clock? Unfortunately, time travel is not yet possible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a more youthful appearance. Botox is an injectable neurotoxin that helps relax facial muscles to ease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Estheticians and dermatologists have been recommending Botox for years, and for good reason: it works! Here’s a closer look at how Botox provides anti-aging benefits.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a neurotoxin. That’s not anywhere near as scary as it might sound at first, we promise. “Neurotoxin” is just a term for a compound that inactivates nerves. In the case of Botox, the nerve inactivation is temporary and has few to no unwanted side effects. As long as Botox is injected by an experienced, trained practitioner, it is very safe.
The neurotoxin in Botox is obtained from a specific type of botulinum bacteria. It’s purified and tested in a laboratory in accordance with strict standards. Although it has received a lot of recent attention for its anti-aging benefits, Botox is not new. It was first FDA-approved in 1991. As such, it has a long track record of safety and success.
How Does Botox Work?
You have nerve endings underneath your skin. These nerve endings interact with the tiny muscles that control the movement of your skin. When Botox is injected near the nerve endings, it temporarily stops them from working. As a result, those tiny muscles under your skin are unable to contract.
By paralyzing the muscles under your skin, Botox eases the appearance of fine lines. It also makes dynamic wrinkles – the kind that are most obvious when you move your face – less obvious.
Sometimes, people are afraid they’ll look too plastic or be unable to make certain facial expressions after Botox injections. This is not usually the case. You’ll still be able to use your large facial muscles and show expression after Botox. However, you will no longer over-use the muscles that most contribute to wrinkle formation.
If you want to be sure your look is really subtle, tell your practitioner. They can use a smaller dose of Botox to ensure your results look natural. Of course, if you want a more dramatic look, your practitioner can help with that, too. Often, they’ll recommend using some fillers in conjunction with your Botox injections.
What Areas Can Be Treated With Botox?
Botox can be used practically anywhere on the face where fine lines and wrinkles tend to appear. Common treatment sites include:
- Smile lines: The curved lines to either side of your mouth.
- Crow’s feet: The horizontal lines to either side of your eyes.
- Forehead wrinkles: Horizontal lines that run across the forehead, above the eyebrows.
- Frown lines: The lines between your eyebrows.
- Chin wrinkles: The lines underneath or to the side of your chin.
If you’re noticing wrinkles and signs of aging in other areas, talk to your practitioner. They may recommend Botox, or they may suggest derma fillers instead. Filler is often a better option for static wrinkles – the kind you can see even when you’re not moving your face.
How Long Do the Results Last?
While Botox will begin working immediately after injection, it may be a day or two before your full results are apparent. This is because redness and puffiness around the injection site can mask the true results of the Botox. These side effects are normal and nothing to worry about. They’ll subside in a few days, and then your new, more youthful look will be more apparent.
Botox lasts, on average, about 3 to 4 months. You’ll notice when it’s beginning to wear off because your wrinkles and fine lines will become more defined again. Then, you can simply schedule an appointment for another round of injections.
In patients who get Botox shots regularly, the results can sometimes last longer. After a few rounds of injections, you may learn to use your facial muscles in a slightly different way that not only makes wrinkles less obvious, but also helps keep them from worsening. This is one reason why practitioners often recommend starting Botox early, at the first sign of wrinkles.
If you’re looking for a safe, minimally invasive anti-aging solution that can ease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, consider Botox. Schedule a consultation with Balance MedSpa in Orlando, and we’ll create a custom treatment plan just for you. You deserve to feel young and free in your own skin.
